BACKGROUND: Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are being introduced for stroke prevention in non-valvular Atrial Fibrillation (AF), and promise to be accepted better than Vitamin K Antagonists (VKAs) by patients, improving their Quality of Life (QoL). AIM: To assess to what extent patient-related factors influence decisions to switch from a VKA to a NOAC. METHODS: The PREFER in AF Registry collected data at baseline in 2012 - at the beginning of NOAC prescriptions - and at 1-year follow-up, in 6412 patients in seven Western European countries...

BACKGROUND: The global real-life impact of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) introduction in the healthcare system in a setting of well-managed vitamin K antagonist (VKA) therapy has not been specifically addressed. METHODS: We did a population-based retrospective cohort study in naïve patients initiating oral anticoagulants for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation in a region with a well-managed VKA therapy. NOAC and VKA cohorts were identified using Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) codes, while excluding other indications for anticoagulation therapy using ICD-9CM codes...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to discuss the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in stroke patients. We discuss use of oral anticoagulation and other interventions for the prevention of VTE. A new class of medications, non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs), have been successfully trialed for the prevention of VTE. We review the data and guidance statements for VTE prevention. RECENT FINDINGS: Warfarin and vitamin K antagonist drugs have been the mainstay of VTE prevention for decades...

BACKGROUND: Catheter ablation is recommended as a first or second-line rhythm control therapy for selected patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). There is a wide variability in the periprocedural management of oral anticoagulation for patients undergoing AF ablation. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to perform an updated meta-analysis of novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) vs. vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) as uninterrupted anticoagulation for patients undergoing AF ablation. METHODS: Databases and conference abstracts were searched...

Thrombosis of the inferior vena cava (IVC) continues to be a rare event and there is a scarcity of evidence with regard to its etiology. One source for IVC thrombosis is external compression from adjacent structures. In this case series we present one case of IVC thrombosis caused by a severely distended bladder and a case of external iliac thrombosis caused by external compression from an abnormally enlarged uterus. The treatment of each case is varied and included novel oral anticoagulation (NOAC), catheter-directed thrombolysis in conjunction with mechanical thrombectomy, or a combination of these...

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) are currently defined as venous thromboembolism (VTE) since they share pathophysiological features and the treatment is similar in many respects. It has been determined that more than 90% of PE cases originate from DVT in the legs. PE, which is difficult to diagnose, has a mortality rate of 12% when untreated. The worldwide increase in obesity, cancer diseases, and average survival time also contribute to the increase in the incidence of VTE. Traditional treatment of VTE includes heparin, low-molecular-weight heparin, and warfarin...

The number of atrial fibrillation (AF) patients requiring thrombo-prophylaxis with oral anticoagulation is greatly increasing. The introduction of non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in addition to standard therapy with dose-adjusted warfarin has increased the therapeutic options for AF patients. Despite a generally better safety profile of the NOACs, the risk of major bleedings still persists, and the management of serious bleeding is a clinical challenge. Areas covered: In the current review, risk of major bleeding in patients taking NOACs and general approaches to manage bleeding depending on severity, with a particular focus on specific reversal agents, are discussed...

BACKGROUND: There is a clinical need for point-of-care (POC) methods for non-vitamin K-dependent oral anticoagulants (NOACs). We modified a routine POC procedure: Zafena's Simple Simon™ PT-INR, a room-temperature, wet-chemistry prothrombin time method of the Owren-type. METHODS: To either increase or decrease NOAC interference, two assay variants were devised by replacing the standard 10 µL end-to-end capillary used to add the citrated plasma sample to 200 µL of prothrombin time (PT) reagent by either a 20 µL or a 5 µL capillary...

N, O-acetals (NOAcs) have been developed as bench stable surrogates for N-carbamoyl (Boc, Cbz and Fmoc) formaldehyde and glyoxylate imines in asymmetric Mannich reactions. The NOAcs can be directly utilized in the chiral primary amine catalyzed Mannich reactions of both acyclic and cyclic β-ketocarbonyls with high yields and excellent stereoselectivity. The current reaction offers a straightforward approach in the asymmetric synthesis of α- or β-amino carbonyls bearing chiral quaternary centers in a practical and highly stereocontrolled manner...

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) can present as arterial and venous thrombosis in adults who are treated with heparin. We present a case of a patient who developed HIT when she was treated for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism with heparin. During the treatment with heparin and while being transitioned to warfarin, she developed arterial thrombosis. A work-up for HIT was sent, and it was positive. She was started on the argatroban drip and her platelet counts stabilized. Since her platelet counts remained stable and were not increasing for three weeks, we decided to transition the patient to an oral anticoagulant...

Nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent arrhythmia with a prevalence of 1%-2% in the general population. Its prevalence increases with age and its diagnosis benefits of improvement and simplification of technologies for its detection. Today, AF affects approximately 7% of individuals age>65years and 15%-20% of octogenarians. Due to stasis and activation of coagulation in a fibrillating atrium, patients are at increased risk of thromboembolism, in particular ischemic stroke, with an overall stroke risk of 5% per year...

The use of novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) has increased in recent times in an effort to overcome the shortcomings of warfarin. They are being used primarily for the prevention of thrombosis caused by atrial fibrillation and offer the advantages of having fewer drug interactions than warfarin, no dietary restrictions, and no requirement for regular blood tests. Although there is reportedly less postoperative bleeding even if the drug is not discontinued during procedures that can cause local bleeding, such as dental procedures, no well-designed clinical studies have assessed postoperative bleeding associated with the use of these drugs...

Background The New Medicines Service (NMS) was implemented in the United Kingdom in 2011 and first evaluated in 2014, showing 10% increase on adherence. Objective To assess community pharmacists' current practice, knowledge and confidence in supporting patients' adherence as part of the NMS for patients on Oral Anti-Coagulants (OACs) for stroke prevention in Atrial Fibrillation. Setting Community pharmacists in London. Method An online cross-sectional survey was sent to pharmacists from their Local Pharmaceutical Committees and advertised by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society...

No studies have performed direct pairwise comparisons of the effectiveness and safety of warfarin and the new oral anticoagulants (NOACs) apixaban, dabigatran, and rivaroxaban. Using 2013 to 2014 claims from a 5% random sample of Medicare beneficiaries, we identified patients newly diagnosed with atrial fibrillation who initiated apixaban, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, warfarin, or no oral anticoagulation therapy in 2013 to 2014. Outcomes included the composite of ischemic stroke, systemic embolism (SE) and death, any bleeding event, gastrointestinal bleeding, intracranial bleeding, and treatment persistence...

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) has a worldwide increasing incidence and prevalence, putting patients at risk for atrial thrombus formation and consecutive thromboembolic events. Morbidity and mortality have become a significant global public health care burden. Thus, there is increasing need for safe and effective medical prophylaxis of thromboembolic events. Edoxaban is the fourth approved non-vitamin K oral anticoagulant (NOAC) that has been introduced into the market for the prophylaxis of stroke or systemic embolism in non valvulär AF patients after dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban...

Anticoagulation treatment was recently improved by the introduction of novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs). Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, this study explores the effects of the introduction of NOACs on anticoagulation care in Slovenia. Face-to-face interviews with key stakeholders revealed evolvement and challenges of anticoagulation care from different perspectives. Obtained information was further explored through the analysis of nationwide data of drug prescriptions and realization of health care services...